CHAPTER 37

Hopefully.

I stood slowly and tiptoed into her room, dipping to grab her bunny off my bed. I eased her into her crib, holding in my exhale when she went down without stirring. I spinned on my toes and started her CD player, letting Conor’s voice fill the room, and back out slowly.

Slowly and silently.

I pulled the door shut behind me, but before it even clicked, she screamed.

I yanked it towards me anyway and rested my forehead against the door. “Please, Milka,” I whispered, squeezing my eyes shut. “Mama needs sleep.”

“No, no! Dadda, Mama, Dadda!” she sobbed.

I thumped the door with my forehead in annoyance because, goddammit, now I was exhausted and crying.

And I gave up. I absolutely gave up.

I walked into my room, grabbed my phone from under my pillow, and dialed Conor’s number. I pressed Redial until he picked up.

“Hello?” he groaned groggily.

“Conor?”

“Chloe? What’s wrong?”

“She won’t sleep,” I said thickly. “She’s been up all night, crying for you. I can’t . . .”

I pinched the b